When did huts.fi research the data for Neulamäki loop trail, Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki nature reserve?

Neulamäki loop trail, Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki nature reserve

—•Hiking Trails

5.5 km

Route

Description

Kuopion kaupunki – Kolmisoppi-Neulamäki+

Description

Neulamäen kierto is about 5.5 km along the route mapped here—a marked nature loop in the Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki recreation area southwest of Kuopio in North Savo. Kuopion kaupunki manages roughly 230 hectares as a nature reserve inside the wider EU Natura 2000 site, with year-round outdoor routes and three marked nature trails that are designed to be walked without rubber boots. Metsähallitus also presents the destination on Luontoon.fi with pointers to downloadable maps and related material. For brochures, Retkikartta.fi links, fire regulations at the lakeshore rest spot, and the latest on access, start from Kuopion kaupunki’s Kolmisoppi-Neulamäki page. The circuit climbs from the Kolmisoppi trailhead area through mixed forest, passing Neulamäen tenniskentät, Neulamäen jääkiekkokaukalo, Neulamäen luistelukenttä, and Neulamäen hiekkatekonurmi near Raiviopolku before the trail turns into the reserve proper. About 1.5 km into the walk you reach Neulamäen näkötorni on the main ridge; the city lists views over Kallavesi, Puijo, and central Kuopio and explains car or path access from Mahlatie. From the summit band the line drops toward Tervaruukin ulkoilumaja on Tervaruukintie, then winds back through Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka at the north end of Vuorilampi. The fireplace there has firewood and a dry toilet with step-free access to the toilet building in summer, although the path down to the fireplace terrace is steep enough that Kuopion kaupunki notes assisted access for some visitors. Kuopion kaupunki highlights almost 100 metres of vertical range on this loop, interpretive boards on bedrock movements and the roughly 11 000-year-old Yoldian shoreline, a striking fern grove beside the brook flowing into Kolmisoppi, and open rock viewpoints on Suuri Neulamäki. SYKE’s Natura description stresses the area’s strong relief, representative limestone and spruce–pine forests, and status as core habitat for species such as flying squirrel and several regionally rare plants. Retkipaikka’s 2020 trail write-up describes green paint blazes, rooty and stony tread, stair climbs on the steepest pitches, a brief duckboard section through a deciduous fringe, and a faster return along wider recreation corridors before the three colour-coded trails reunite near Kolmisoppi. Kivenjuurelta’s blog notes rich grove plants around Vuorilampi, lively birdlife in old forest with plenty of deadwood, and a popular mix of dog walkers and day hikers close to the city. Hello Kuopio rounds up Pilpantie parking, Juontotie kerbside spaces, and buses 4 and 8 to Juontotie I if you arrive without a car. You can shorten the day with Pikkukierto at Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka or add interpretation-focused kilometres on Vanhan metsän polku where it shares tread. Kolmisoppi–Neulamäen ulkoilureitit, Neulamäen valaistu kuntorata, Neulamäen valaistu kuntolenkki 3km, Neulaniemen-Tervaruukin-Pilpan-Haminalahden jääladut, Neulaniemen ja Tervaruukki- Pilppa kuntolatu, and Pörrönpolku all sit in the same trail network for anyone mixing walking and winter skiing.

Length & route

The trail is about 5.5 km along the route mapped here. Kuopion kaupunki describes Neulamäen kierto as just over five kilometres circling Vuorilampi and Tervaruukki up to Suuri Neulamäki with nearly 100 m of vertical gain, placing it in the demanding slice of the area’s trio of nature trails. Retkipaikka timed a counter-clockwise walk at roughly 5.4 km and two hours without counting long breaks.

Getting there

Start at the north-west end of Kolmisoppi pond where Kuopion kaupunki places a small car park beside the trails, or join from Juontotie or the Neulamäki sports-field side. Hello Kuopio lists Pilpantie 142 as the main parking coordinate, Juontotie kerbside spaces in the residential neighbourhood, and buses 4 and 8 to Juontotie I. Vuorilammen nuotiopaikka sits on Pilpantie 100 if you need the campfire facilities directly. Retkipaikka notes multiple gravel bays along Pilpantie and that the sports-field car park on Raiviopolku can be closed during renovations, so carrying a printed Kuopion kaupunki map is wise. Neulamäen näkötorni has separate vehicle access from Mahlatie 18 via a sand spur for drivers who only want the tower.

Good to know

Trailhead PDFs and interpretive boards for Neulamäen kierto are linked from Kuopion kaupunki alongside Vanhan metsän polku and Pikkukierto downloads. Respect reserve rules, carry out litter, and book large groups through the city environment team if required. Cell service is typical for an urban forest; winter skiers share nearby maintained tracks listed on adjacent route pages.

Managed by

Kuopion kaupunki

Official Maintenance

Trail info

Trip reports often describe walking counter-clockwise from the Kolmisoppi trailhead for the green-blazed loop.

Route direction

Recreation Area

Lake

Green paint blazes for Neulamäen kierto alongside other colours for the parallel nature trails.

Route Signs

Open / Good Condition

Kuopion kaupunki – Kolmisoppi-Neulamäki+

Activities allowed

Hike / Walk

Activity

Terrain & conditions

5.5 km

Distance

About 2–3 hours on foot for most adults, matching on-trail times reported for similar pacing.

Est. Time

Dirt / Duckboards / Gravel

Surface

Loop, Single Track, Wide Track

Route Type

Partial Shade

Shade

Moderate Traffic

Traffic

Retkipaikka – Neulamäen kierto Kuopiossa

Location

62.87475°N, 27.59864°E

Approximate location

FinlandCountry

North SavoRegion

KuopioCity

Hiking TrailsCategory

Explore nearby

Neulamäen tenniskentät

327 m

Free

Neulamäen luistelukenttä

280 m

Free

Neulamäen jääkiekkokaukalo

275 m

Free

Neulamäen hiekkatekonurmi

277 m

Pörrönpolku

321 m

Free

Neulaniemen-Tervaruukin-Pilpan-Haminalahden jääladut

210 m

Free

Neulamäen valaistu kuntorata

407 m

Free

Neulamäen valaistu kuntolenkki 3km

409 m

Free

Rate & Review

Be the first to write a review for "Neulamäki loop trail, Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki nature reserve"

Share a photo from a recent trip

Answers to your questions

Our data was researched from Kuopion kaupunki, and other trusted sources, in March 2026. Our route / place GPX data comes from Metsähallitus / Lipas, last updated March 2026. Always check their official website for safety-critical updates.

Finland North Savo Kuopio Hiking TrailsNeulamäki loop trail, Kolmisoppi–Neulamäki nature reserve